Trump Administration's Fraud Crackdown Disrupts Social Security Services

Efforts led by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency target unsubstantiated fraud claims, causing delays, staff departures, and criticism of undermining public service.

• The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), under Elon Musk, has implemented measures to combat fraud in Social Security, but evidence suggests fraud levels are minimal, with improper payments accounting for less than 1% of disbursements.
• DOGE’s actions, including office closures, IT access cuts, and reduced phone services, have caused significant delays and accessibility issues for Social Security beneficiaries.
• Claims of widespread fraud, such as deceased individuals receiving benefits, have been debunked by Social Security officials, who attribute these errors to outdated database records rather than actual fraudulent payments.
• The initiative has led to experienced staff departures and reduced funding for fraud prevention studies, raising concerns about the agency's ability to effectively serve the public and prevent fraud in the future.
• Critics argue that the focus on fraud prevention is undermining Social Security's core mission, while the Trump administration defends the measures as necessary for efficiency and cost-saving.

3 Articles

Axios Washington Post Raw Story